Navy security officer fatally shot at Norfolk to be honored at Arlington

A Navy security forces officer who was fatally shot during a security breach at Naval Station Norfolk last month will receive an award for his heroism at Arlington National Cemetery on Friday.

Navy officials say they will give 24-year-old Mark Mayo the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, the highest non-combat decoration awarded for heroism within the Navy and Marine Corps, according to Navy spokeswoman Terri Davis. Vice Chief of Naval Operations Vice Adm. Mark Ferguson will present the award to Mayo’s family in a private ceremony.

Mayo was killed on March 24 by Virginia truck driver Jeffrey Tyrone Savage while the two were aboard the naval destroyer USS Mahan. Savage fought with one of Mayo’s fellow officers while trying to gain access the naval destroyer and was able to wrestle that officer’s gun away. Savage then used that gun to shoot Mayo when he rushed over to assist the officer.